Quest for the right Epson Photoprinter...

[misupix]

My trusty Epson Stylus Photo 950 seized to work properly (I guess repair won't be reasonable + the Ink costs are killing me)

I plan on buying a HP Color Laserjet 1600 (€200) for text and documents.

For printing a occasional Color Photo print, to hang on the wall or give away to friends. Haven't done any HQ B&W prints so far.
So I need something in similar quality like the Stylus Photo 950....


Currently I'm looking into:

Epson R800 for €290 (there might be a successor soon?)
(Ultra K3 Ink System)

or

Epson R265 for €90
(Claria Ink system, like R360)


The question is this:

For my Amateur needs, is the R800s Print quality this much superior to the R265? The R800 (on sale) is still 3 times the price of the R265!


Or maybe try a R265 now and if not happy get the R800 successor?​

 

[flygirl1]

I have the R380, which has the Claria Ink system, and I am very satisfied with the results. Depends on what you want to spend. I am looking at the R1800 for larger prints.

all the best
Nancy

 

[JPS]

Hi Michael !

I've been using an Epson Stylus Photo 870 for more than a year, then i felt like printing BIGGER... i bought an Epson Stylus Photo 2100, wich allows me to print A3+ (32.9 x 48.3 mm.) or A3 paper-roll, and now, i won't look back ! The A4 seems so small...

...of course, the 2100 also eats (drinks ?) ink at such a speed that it makes a print quite costly but well... All in all, i'm very happy with the overall quality of the Esons i had !

Cheers,
J-P.

 

[Baywing]

I'd go with the R800, I've heard the Claria inks have had some problems, mostly they seem to be more prone to clogging.

 

[jcovert]

I wanted to add that for your Color Laser, you should really check out the OkiData line...yeah I know the name is suspect, but I *could not* be happier with this printer!! I bought the C5400n (i think) which included PS Level 3, and works brilliantly with my Mac. The ink costs are the same as HP, but the quality of the prints I think smokes the HP lines in the <$3500 range. (and the Oki runs $1000ish)

I use the expensive 'magazine-like' color paper, and you would have *extremely* hard time telling it was not done on a press. It is really THAT good imho. For short-run advertising needs it is a dream come true for me, and I'm amazed that technology has achieved this for home printing at this speed.